Filing cabinet



Aug. 30, 1932. j c, L 1,874,367

FILING CABINET Filed May 20. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. c. SEYL FILINGCABINET Filed May 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :1. Another object of theinvention is to pro Patented Aug. 30, 1932 i PATENT; OFFICE JosErn 0.since, or nvmvsrou, rumors FILING CABINET Application filed m 20,

- The present. invention relates generally to drawers for filingcabinets. More particularly the invention relates to that typeof filingcabinet drawer which embodies devices for holding longitudinallyadjustable and pivotally movable partition plates in positions forseparating groups of papersfrom one another. V 1

The object of the invention is to provide an 0 improved filing cabinetdrawer in which the partition plates are supported so they are free toswing forwardly and backwardly to a limited degree and arelongitudinally adjustable. Another objectof the invention is the pro- .avision of improved locking means for securing the longltudinallyadjustable and pivotally movable partition plates in different positionsso the depth of the spaces between the plates may be varied as desired.

vide a filing drawer of the type under consideration which is generallyof new and im proved construction and may beproduced at a comparativelylow cost. l Other objects of the invention and the variousadvantages andcharacteristics of the present drawer construction will be apparent froma consideration of the following detailed description. i

The invention consists in'the several novel features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusionhereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification ordisclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote correspondingparts throughout the several views: Fig. 1 is a perspective of a filingcabinet drawer embodying the invention, parts being broken away forillustrative purposes. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through thedrawer. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is a perspective on an enlarged scale of thelpartition retainingmeans. Fig.5 is a perspective of one of the partitions. Fig. 6 is aperspective of the bar for shifting thelocking-bar;

The invention is exemplified in a drawer A of that type which is adaptedto slide in a a, Cabinet analogous supporting structure spectively,

1929. SerialNo. 364,407.

nelled, as at" d, to form runways on whieh the drawer may slide. Aseries of partitions B are provided in the drawer to divide it into aseries of compartments for holding groups of papers separate from oneanother. These partitions arepivotallymovable to a limited degree topermitthem to be swung forwardl to provide accessto the papers in thebacli thereof when desired, and to swing backwardly of the verticalplane at other-times. The drawer and partitions are preferably formed ofsheet metal. 7

Each partition is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end on across-shaft 10. The lower corner portions of the partition are bentaround the shaft as at 11, to connect the partition so it may movepivotally on the shaft, and so it will be movable bodily longitudinallywith the shaft. To insure the rectilinear movement of the partition andshaft 10, pinions 12-are fixedly secured to the ends of theshaftrespectively' and mesh with racks 13 which extend longitudinally ofthe drawer. The pinions, being secured together for conjoint rotation,will cause all portions of the partition to move equidistantly andlongitudinally of the drawer when the partition is manually shifted, andprevent the partition from assuming an oblique position across thedrawer. Racks 13 are formed of'sheet metal strips which extendthroughout the length of the drawer andccomprise vertical flanges 13having the rack teeth cut therein, bottom members 14: welded orotherwise secured to the bottom d of the drawer, vertical walls 15 atthe outer side of the pinions 12 toconfine the pinions and shaft againstmovementcrosswise of the drawer, and horizontal top flanges 16 extendingover the top parts of the pinions to hold them in engagement withtherack. Plates 17 through which the shaft 10 extends, are disposedbetween the ends of the partition and the contiguous pinions 12 reandtheir lower edges 17 slidably engage the bottom d of the drawer so thatthey will be held against rotation on shaft 10.

Strips 18are welded or otherwise secured to the back face of thepartition, and project beyond the edges thereof into notches 19 51formed in plates 17 to limit the pivotal movement of the partitionaround shaft 10. Fixed angle strips d-10 guide plates 17 longitudinally.

The lower end of each partition is locked against longitudinal movementwhile free for limited pivotal movement by a vertically movable dog 20which is adapted to engage a locking bar 21. receiving the lower ends ofthe dogs 20. Each dog 20 is formed on a longitudinally extending portion23 of an arm 24 which extends across the back of the partition, and ispivoted adjacent the opposite end thereof, as at 25. Bar 21 is formed ofsheet-metal, and the notches 22 are formed in a horizontal flangethereof. This locking bar is vertically movable so that it may beshipped downwardly to clear the dogs 20 and thus permit the partitionsto be longitudinally and manually adjusted. The arms 24 are pivoted topermit the dogsto rise in the event thc t the notches 22 do not registerwith the lower ends of the dogs when the locking bar is raised into itsnormal position. Whenever the dogs fail to register with the notches 22,the partitions may be manually shifted to bring the dogs into positionto drop into the notches and thus lock the lower portions of thepartitions against longitudinal movement. The mechanism for operatingthe locking bar 2lqcomprises a flat bar 26 which fits against the innerface of the channelled portion (1* of one of the drawer sides, and isheld so it may slide longitudinally in the drawer by instruck tongues 27which are integral with the drawer sides. The front of shifter bar 26extends through the front wall dof the drawer at one corner thereof, andis provided with a handle 28. so it can be shifted to operate thelocking bar. A pair of studs 29 are rigidly secured to the locking ,bar21. These studs extend respectively into cam slots 30 which are formedin the shifter bar 26. Each of these cam slots comprises a horizontalportion 31 at the top thereof, a horizontal portion 32 at the bottomthereof, and an oblique connecting portion 33. The portions 31 of theslot are provided so that when the shi "ter bar 26 is pushed inwardly,and the locking bar 21 is raised, said portions 31 will. lock the studs29 against vertical movement, so that the locking bar 21 cannot beverticallydisplaced. hen the bar 26 is pulled outwardly, the straightportions 32 of the slots will lock the studs 29 therein against verticalmovement to hold the locking bar in its lowered position. Lugs34'project inwardly from the front and back walls of the drawer andserve to hold the locking bar 21 against the shifter bar 26. Eachpartition haste- The latter has notches 22 for cured to its back, aplate 35, the upper and lower edges of which are welded or otherwisesecured to the back of the partition, and the intermediate portion ofwhich is spaced therefrom. These plates serve to reinforce the lowerportion of the partitions and also serve to guide the arms 24L whichcarry the locking dogs 20. When it is desired to ad just the spacingbetween the partitions B, the operator will pull the handle 28 outwardlywhich will cause the shifter bar 26, through slots 80 and studs 29, tolower the locking bar sufiiciently to release the dogs 20. Thereupon thepartitions may be manually shifted longitudinally of the drawer to anydesired positions; When the partitions have been shifted, the shifterbar will be pushed inwardly to raise the locking bar 21, whereupon thedogs will pass into the notches 22 to loch the lower portions of thepartitions against longitudinal movement. Should any of the dog's 20 beout of registry with the slots 22, they will be lifted, and upon afurther longitudinal shift of the partitions, they will fall by gravityinto the spaces to lock the lower ends of the partitions.- While thelower ends of the partitions are locked against longitudinal movement,by reason of the locking of the shafts 10, they will be free at alltimes to swing forwardly or backwardly within the limits permit-ted bythe notches 19 in plates 17, and the stop strips 18 on the partitions.The plates 17 serve to space the partitions from the pinions' 12 and arelongitudinally movable with the partitions. and shafts 10. The inventionexemplifies an improved built-in filing drawer that comprises partitionswhich have a limited pivotal movement to permit the partitions to beswung forwardly and backwardly for convenience in inspection, placement,or removal of the papers between the partitions. The invention alsoexemplifies a drawer which is provided with partitions that arerectilinearly adjustable longitudinally of the drawer and are associatedwith mechanism for locking them in their desired positions.

The drawer herein disclosed is simple in construction and may beproduced at a low cost. 7

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tsecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a filing drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially ver tically in the draveg means for pivotally supportingthe lower end of the partition, said means being adjustablelongitudinally in the drawer by horizontal shift movement only, andstop-means for limiting the pivotal image:

of :a partition extending substantially vertically in the drawer, meansfor pivotally supporting the lower end of'the partition,

said means being adjustable longitudinally in the drawer-to permit thepartition to be shifted bodily either forwardly orrbaokwardly, and meansfor limiting the pivotal movement of the partition while said partitionis in any of its shifted positionasaid limiting means including a stopelement associated with the supponting'means. V

3. The combination witha filing drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially vertically in the drawer, means for pivbtally supportingthe lower end of the partition, said means being adjustablelongitudinally in the drawer in order to permit the partition to beshifted bodily either forwardly or backwardly, and coactingstopielements for limiting the pivotal movement of the partition whilesaid partition is in any of its shifted positions, one of the elementsbeing mounted on the partition and the other being coilnected to thesupporting means.

4. The combinationlwith a filing drawer, of a plurality of partitionsextending sub stantially vertically in thedrawer, means for pivotal'lysupporting the lowerends of the partitions, said means being adjustablelongitudinally in the drawer by horizontal shift movement only in orderto permit the partitions to be shifted eitherbackwardly or forwardly inthe drawer, and stop devices for individually limiting the pivotalmovement of the partitions while said partitions alin any of theirshifted positions. a

5. Thecombination with a filing drawer, of a plurality of partitionsextending substantially vertically Lin'the drawer, pivotal supportingmeans for the lower ends of the partitions adjustable longitudinally thedrawer, and stop devices for individually limiting the pivotal movementof the partitions respectively, said devices including elementsconnected to the partitions. and shift- 7 able with said partitionsduring adjustment of the supporting means.

. 6,. The combination with a filing. drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially v r. tically in the drawer,-pivota'l supporting meansforthe lower endof thepartition adjustable longitudinally in the drawer byhorizontal shift movement onlyin order to pe mit the partition to bemoved eitherbackwardly or forwardly, and means for locking thesupporting means in its various adjusted positions, and at the same timepermitting limited pivotal movement of the partition.

7. The combination with afiling drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially vertically in thedrawer, pivotal supporting means for thelowerend of the partition ads justable longitudinally in thesdrawermental shiftmoviement only in under to permit the partition :to beshifted :either back wardly or forwardly, stop means for limit,-

ing the pivotal movement of the partition while it is in any of itsshifted positions, and means for retaining the supporting means in itsvarious adjusted positions.

:8. 'The' combination with a filing Rdrawer, of a plurality ofpartitions-extending sub stantially vertically in the drawer, individualpivotal supporting means for the lower ends of the partitions adjustablelongitudinally the drawer by horizontal shift movement only in order topermit the partitions to be shifted either backwardly or forwardly,:stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of the partitionswhilethey are in any of their shifted positions, and conjointly releasabledevices for retaining the supporting means in their various adjustedpositions. 7

9. The combination with a filing drawer,

of a partition extending substantially vertica lly inthe drawer, pivotalsupporting means for the lower end of the partition movablelongitudinally in the drawer, means for confining the supporting meansso that it is movable only in a rectilinearpath, stopmeans for limitingthe pivotal movement of the partition, and means for retaining saidsupporting means in its different positions in the drawer. V

10. The combination with a filing drawer, of a plurality of partitionsextending substantially'vertically in the drawer, individual pivotalsup-porting means for the lower ends of the partitions longitudinallymovable in the drawer, means for confining the supporting means so theyare movable only in arectilinear path, stop-means for individually'means to limit the pivotal movement of the partition, and means forretaining said supporting means in different longitudinal positions inthe drawer, comprising an element on the partition and a longitudinallyextending locking bar engageable with saidelement. 12. In combination, afiling drawer having a longitudinal channel formed in one of its walls,a partition extending substantially vertically in the'drawer, supportingmeans for the lower end of the partition longitudinally adjustable inthe drawer, and means for retaining said supporting means. in differentlongitudinal positions in the drawer, comprising an element on thepartition and a ongitudinally'extending locking bar 1n the channelengageable with said element.

13. Incombination, a filing drawer having a longitudinal channel formedin one of its walls, a partition extending substantially verticallyinthe drawer, supporting means for the lower endof the partition,longitudinally adjustable in the drawer, means for retaining saidsupporting means in different longitudinal positions in the drawer,comprising a longitudinally extending locking bar, and. an element onthe partition, and a shifter bar for the locking bar disposed in thechannel.

- 14. The combination with a filing drawer, of a partition adapted toextend substantially vertically in the drawer, means for supporting thepartition so that it is longitudinally adjustable in the drawer,comprising pinions and rack bars, and means for retaining said partitionindifferent longitudinal positions in the drawer.

' 15. In combination, a filing drawer having longitudinal channels inthe side walls thereof, apartition extending substantially verticallyin-the drawer,imeans for supporting the partition so that it islongitudinally adjustable in :the drawer, comprising pinions and rackbars disposed at the sides of the partition and in said channels, andmeans for retaining said partition in different longitudinal positionsin the drawer.

16. The combination with a filing drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially vertically in the drawer, supporting means for thepartition, longitudinally adjustable in the drawer, and means forretaining said supporting means in different longitudinal positions inthe drawer, comprising a vertically movable element on the partition,and a rackbar engaged by said element.

17. The combination with a filing drawer, of a partitionextendingsubstantially vertically in the drawer, supporting means forthe partition, longitudinally adjustable in the drawer, means forretaining said supporting means in different longitudinal positions inthe drawer, comprising an element on the partition having limitedvertical movement, and a rack-bar extending lengthwise of the drawer andarranged so that the element may drop into engagement therewith, and ashifter bar slidable longitudinally in the drawer and operative to shiftthe rackbar past the range of movement of the ele-' ment in order toeffect release of the retaining means. v

'18. The combination with a filing drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially vertically in the drawer, supporting means for thepartition longitudinally adjustable in the drawer, and means forretaining said'supporting means indifferent longitudinal positions inthe drawer, comprising a rack bar extending lengthwise of the drawer,and an element mounted on the partition to overlie the rack-bar andmovable vertically to a limited extent so that it is free to drop intoengagement with the rack-bar, said rack-bar being movable verticallypast the range of movement of the element so that it may be shifted outof engagement with the element in order. to effect release of theretaining means.

19. The combination with a 'filin drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantia ly vertically in the drawer, supporting means for thepartition adjustable longitudinally in the drawer and comprising across-shaft, pinions at the ends of the shaft, and longitudinal rackbars secured in the drawer and meshing with the pinions, means forretaining the pinions in engagement with the racks, and means forretaining the pinions and shaft in different longitudinal positions inthe drawer.

20. The combination with a filing drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially vertically in the drawer, supporting means for thepartition adjustable longitudinally in the drawer andcomprising across-shaft, pinions at the end of the shaft, and longitudinal rack barssecured in the drawer and meshing with thepinions, flanges and walls forretaining the pinions in engagement with the racks, and means forretaining the pinions and shaft in different longitudinal positions inthe drawer.

21; The combination with a filing drawer, of a partition extendingsubstantially vertically in the drawer, supporting means for thepartition, adjustable longitudinally in the drawer, means for retainingsaid supporting means in different longitudinal positions in the drawer,comprising an element on the partition, and a vertically movable lockingbar engageable by said element, and releasing means for said retainingmeans comprising a longitudinally slidable bar, and stud and cam slotconnections between said slidable bar and the locking bar.

22. In combination, a drawer, an upstanding partition in the drawer, amount whereby the partition is held in connected relation with respectto the drawer and supported so that it is free to be swung forwardly andbackwardly and shifted bodily throughout substantially the entire lengthof the drawer,

and means for locking the partition in its various shifted positions,and at the same time permitting limited swinging movement of thepartition at any one of said positions.

23. In combination, a drawer, an upstanding partition in the drawer, amount whereby the partition is held in connected relation with respectto the drawer and supported so that it is free to be swung forwardly andbackwardly and shifted bodily throughout substantially the entire lengthof the drawer,

and means independent of said mount for looking the partltion initsshifted adjusted positions. r

24. In combination, a drawer, an upstanding partition disposed in thedrawer and mounted so that it is "free to be swung forwardly andbackwardly and shiftedbodily longitudinally in the drawer, and means forlooking the partition in its various shifted positions comprising alocking member on the partltion and a barhaving a longitudinal series ofopenings therein through whiohopenings an endof the locking member isinsertable, said openings being sufliciently large to permit movement ofthe looking member when the partition is swung forwardly and backwardly.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 29th day of April, 1929. V

JOSEPH C. SEYL.

